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The very best in documentaries, films, music, sport and children’s entertainment awaits on TG4 and Cúla4 this Christmas and New Year

TG4 unveils a standout festive schedule this Christmas, featuring a vibrant mix of documentaries, world class music specials and a rich film line-up for all ages.

08.12.25

Images for Christmas and New Year’s Programmes

TG4 unveils a standout festive schedule this Christmas, featuring a vibrant mix of documentaries, world class music specials and a rich film line-up for all ages.

This year’s documentary offering is especially strong. Gene Kelly – Réalt an Rince presents a fresh portrait of a Hollywood legend, while the TV premiere of Scannán Cine4: Fidil Ghorm is a major moment for Irish screen storytelling. George Best i gCorcaigh uncovers the football legend’s unexpected Cork chapter, and the New Year ushers in Cartlann Christy Moore, an intimate and deeply personal reflection from one of Ireland’s most beloved musical figures.

Music lovers are in for a treat, with a powerful selection of festive and cultural programming. Gradam Ceoil TG4 @ Expo 25 brings the best of Irish music to a global stage from Japan, followed by Ceiliúradh ar Mhicheál D Ó hUiginn, a heartfelt tribute to the cultural legacy of former President. Seasonal favourites return with Geantraí na Nollag 2025 from the stunning Mount Falcon Estate, ANÚNA: A Whisper of Paradise, and Fleadh 25 – Na Bannaí Céilí. The New Year continues the celebration with Bláth na hÓige An Turas go Lorient, capturing Irish performers at the heart of the world renowned Interceltic Festival in Brittany.

TG4’s festive film line-up is equally strong, spanning acclaimed Irish cinema and global favourites. Highlights include An Cailín Ciúin, Die Hard, The Da Vinci Code, Walk the Line, Bridget Jones’s Diary, My Best Friend’s Wedding, There’s Something About Mary, Pitch Perfect 2, Calendar Girls alongside family classics such as The Karate Kid,Matilda , and Mrs. Doubtfire. In addition to the new sports documentaries GAA 70’s – Réabhlóid Sóisialta, TG4 brings viewers live action throughout Christmas and New Year with Rugbaí Beo (featuring Connacht v Ulster) and GAA Beo.

Cúla4 
Cúla4 delivers a magical line-up for families this Christmas, with favourites like Shrek, Kung Fu Panda and Ice Age: Continental Drift, as well as the brand new Irish language animation Nollaí, the story of a lovable deer who discovers he may be the last giant Irish deer in existence.
 

Gene Kelly was a Hollywood icon. Actor, dancer, singer, director – he created some of the most enduring musicals of all time. The grandson of Irish immigrants, Kelly was extremely proud of his Irish heritage. He holidayed in Ireland frequently and was fascinated by Irish dance, culture and history. In this revealing documentary, we explore the fascinating career of this honorary Irishman. 
 

This documentary tells the extraordinary story of George Best and his time with Cork Celtic on the 50th anniversary of his time in League of Ireland, featuring exclusive interviews and rare archive footage of Best in action in Cork. He was the greatest footballer in the world. An icon revered for his skill on the pitch and his extravagant lifestyle off it. He played with Manchester United as one of their star players for 11 years and when he left, the world wondered what was next for George Best. As it turned out, the next thing for him was a stint in Cork. 
 

In September 2025, many of Ireland’s leading musicians and performers gathered in the NCH for a special event celebrating the release of Micheál D Ó hUiginn’s debut spoken word album ‘Against All Certainty’. Poetry from the collection is read by leading Irish artists including Paula Meehan and Sebastian Barry while music is by acclaimed artists Mary Coughlan, Paul Brady, Imelda May, Rónán Ó Snodaigh and Andy Irvine. All accompanied by the National Symphony Orchestra conducted by David Brophy. Hosted by Tommy Tiernan. 
 

A musical collaboration celebrating the cultural links between Ireland and Japan featuring the recipients of the TG4 Gradam Ceoil Awards 2025 and traditional Japanese musicians and dancers. Siobhán Peoples, Matt Cranitch, Cathy Jordan, Colm Broderick, Johnny Óg Connolly and Flook join Kozo Toyota on stage to perform a newly composed piece of music to celebrate the writer Patrick Lafcadio Hearn. The concert features Okinawan singing, Taiko drumming and Bon Odori dancing. Presented by Áine Hensey. 
 

Legendary folk singer Christy Moore sits down with Liam O’Connor, director of the Irish Traditional Music Archive, to reflect on a lifetime of song. As Moore formally donates his personal archive, spanning over fifty years of manuscripts, recordings, letters, setlists, and unseen lyrics, he opens a window into the creative spirit and social conscience that shaped generations. With contributions from some of Ireland’s best-known artists, this film celebrates a remarkable musical legacy. 
 

The 2025 Geantraí Christmas Special comes from the stunning surroundings of Mount Falcon Estate, County Mayo and brings together an exceptional lineup of artists. From legendary performers such as Paul Brady performing two of his most celebrated folk songs – Arthur McBride and The Lakes of Pontchartrain – to the powerhouse that is Breanndán O’Beaglaoich and the much loved Tommy Fleming to the brightest new voices in traditional and folk music. Gearóid McCarthy, Alannah Thornburgh. Aileen Bourke, The Brennan Sisters, Ciaran Mulderrig and Fergal Scahill all deliver outstanding performances to fill a programme full of Seasonal joy and reflection.   And with the full sound of the youth Orchestra, The Mayo Ensemble led by renowned multi-instrumentalist Stephen Doherty.  The result is an intimate and heartwarming evening of music, song and story, filled with festive atmosphere and the unmistakable rhythm of Irish tradition
 

A documentary which features Bláth na hÓige as they embark on their first ever overseas concert at the Festival Interceltique de Lorient in Brittany. During their travels they get a taste of the Celtic culture of Brittany. They meet with local Breton musicians, and they spend time rehearsing new songs as they prepare to perform at the largest Celtic gathering in the world. 

In August 2025 Bláth na hÓige were invited to perform at the biggest Celtic Festival in the world, the Lorient Interceltic Festival in Brittany. The festival celebrates Celtic culture and music and is attended by almost 1 million people annually. In this programme, we see how Bláth na hÓige got on at their first international festival. Featuring Megan Nic Ruairí, Máire Ní Churraoin, Caoimhe Ní Fhlatharta, Méabh Ní Bheaglaoich, Piaras Ó Lorcáin, Cathal Ó Curráin, Colm Mac an Iomaire and Síle Denvir. 

We meet the members of the pulsating traditional group Cuas from Corca Dhuibhne, four friends who came together to record an album in 2024. Comprising Niamh Varian Barry, Méabh Ní Bheaglaoich, Nicole Ní Dhubhshláine and Kyle Macaulay the band have performed to great reception at home in Kerry and abroad. In this programme we see them on stage at the Interceltic Festival in Lorient in August 2025. 
 

A selection of winter-themed music, including some of the world’s best-known Christmas carols. This film was originally made in 2020 as part of the hugely successful online series created by the British choral group Voces8. The music was arranged by Dublin-born composer Michael McGlynn, and the film was recorded in Dublin’s iconic St Bartholomew’s Church in Ballsbridge.  
 

Highlights and music from the 12 céilí bands competing in the Senior Céilí Bands competition at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. Presented by Freda Hatton. 
 

A special night of songs and music with renowned singer, Éilís Ní Chinnéide from Daingean Uí Chúis. Éilís is joined in the Green Room in her family bar, John Benny’s, by musical collaborators including Peter Blanchette, Eamon McElholm, Matt Griffin, Jeremy Spencer, Donogh Hennessy, Laurence Courtney and Pauline Scanlon. 
 

Highlights from the Steip U18 competitions at Oireachtas na Samhna 2025. 
 

Since it first began over 125 years ago the Oireachtas festival has hosted some of the most prestigious competitions in our traditional arts and has grown from an event frequented by the hundreds to now been one of the most important cultural events in Ireland. This year’s festival in Belfast had over 1,000 competitors taking to the stage in song, music, dancing and storytelling competitions. In this documentary we follow some of the competitors, some taking to the stage for the first time, others are returning veterans while others strive for perfection and a place in the history books. 
 

Highlights from the Steip competition at Oireachtas na Samhna 2025 in Belfast. 
 

A look back at Corn Uí Riada 2025, the main sean-nós singing competition at Oireachtas na Samhna.
 

Full list of films on TG4 Christmas Week: Scannáin na Nollag – week 51

More films around the New Year: Scannáin na Nollag – week 52
 

(2024 Irish Language Film) Starring Edith Lawlor, Ruadhán Ó Flatharta, Barry Mc Govern, Siobhán O’Kelly and Aindrias De Staic. Directed by Anne McCabe. The story of a 10-year-old girl called Molly who believes that if she learns to play the fiddle that she can wake her dad from a coma. Molly hears a doctor tell her mom that it would probably take a miracle to wake her dad, her mom tells her that a miracle is a kind a magic. There is also a grumpy old man in the rehab home who had once been a champion fiddler, Molly is told that he has ‘magic in his hands’ and she coaxes him to teach her to play the fiddle.
 

(2022 Irish Language Film) Starring Carrie Crowley, Andrew Bennett and Catherine Clinch. Directed by Colm Bairéad. Cáit is sent from her overcrowded, dysfunctional household to live with distant relatives for the summer. Slowly a warmth grows within this makeshift family and Cáit begins to blossom in their care. But in this house where there are meant to be no secrets, she discovers one painful truth. Based on Claire Keegan’s acclaimed story, Foster.
 

(1988, Action) Starring Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman and Bonnie Bedelia. Directed by John McTiernan. A New York City police officer tries to save his estranged wife and several others taken hostage by terrorists during a Christmas party at the Nakatomi Plaza in Los Angeles.   
 

(2005, Biography, Music) Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon and Ginnifer Goodwin. Directed by James Mangold. A chronicle of country music legend Johnny Cash’s life, from his early days on an Arkansas cotton farm to his rise to fame with Sun Records in Memphis, where he recorded alongside Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins. 
 

(2006, Comedy) Starring Cameron Diaz, Ben Stiller and Matt Dillon. Directed by Bobby Farrelly and Peter Farrelly. A man gets a chance to meet up with his dream girl from high school, even though his date with her back then was a complete disaster. 
 

A new documentary that looks at the revival of Gaelic football in the 70s and the sociological impact it created. Untold stories emerge from the Tribesmen as they retrace their footsteps to Croke Park to look back at the Dublin-Galway rivalry of the time, and the documentary culminates with the subsequent Dublin-Kerry rivalry. This era shaped the history of the GAA and inspired generations. (ISL interpretation available.)
 

Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta is widely regarded as one of the most important annual events for Irish speakers and Gaelic football fans alike. Cumann Peile Chlann na nGael from Ráth Chairn and Áth Buí in Meath hosted the event in 2025. In this documentary we follow the players, managers and supporters of various teams as they strive to win the tournament and have their name inscribed in Gaeltacht folklore. We also follow the festival organisers as they seek to successfully host this unique football and cultural event. 
 

All the best action from the United Rugby Championship. Stormers v the Lions, Sharks v the Bulls and also in the last game which KO at 19.45 shows Irish side Connacht v Dragons v Connacht.  
 

Live coverage from Dexcom Stadium of Connacht v Ulster in the United Rugby Championship. Kick-off is at 17:30.
 

Live coverage from Durban of the Sharks vs the Lions, in the United Rugby Championship. Kick-off is at 13:30. Live coverage from the Aviva Stadium of Leinster v Connacht in the United Rugby Championship. Kick-off is at 17:30. 
 

Live coverage of the two All-Ireland Hurling Semi-Final’s in the AIB Club Championship.  
 

A look back at the best GAA games of 2025: The TG4 Ladies Gaelic Football Championship Semi-Final – Dublin V Galway, the All-Ireland Hurling Final – Cork V Tipperary. the All-Ireland Football Final – Kerry V Donegal, and Round 1 of the Munster Hurling Championship – Tipperary V Limerick. 
 

Shrek is a big ogre who lives alone in the woods, feared by all the people in the land of Duloc. When Lord Farquaad, the ruler of Duloc, exiles all the fairy-tale beings to the woods, Shrek loses his peaceful life. (Irish Language version) 
 

Additional Images for Nollaí

Nollaig (or Nollaí for short) is just a regular, run-of-the-mill deer. A little tall for a deer, right enough, but he’s always been told he’s big boned. He’s been living the life on the farm with his human family. That is, until he accidentally stumbles across a surprise that reveals he is quite possibly the last living giant Irish deer in existence! On this journey of discovery, Nollaí comes to realise that while trying to find where he came from, he was forgetting about the family that found him. (New Irish Language Animation) 
 

Po might just be the laziest, clumsiest panda in the Valley of Peace, but he secretly dreams of becoming a kung fu legend. When the villainous snow leopard Tai Lung threatens Po’s homeland, the hapless panda is chosen to fulfil an ancient prophecy and defend the Valley from attack. (Irish Language Film)